Bad dope

EXAMINER EDITORIAL WRITER

Published 4:00 am, Friday, October 24, 1997

1997-10-24 04:00:00 PDT SAN FRANCISCO; SAN MATEO COUNTY -- SAN FRANCISCO has added itself to the list of local governments studying whether they should let cops distribute marijuana to patients under the compassionate use law approved by California voters a year ago. The City's Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a request by Supervisor Sue Bierman to hold a hearing on setting up a police dispensary. San Mateo County and San Jose are looking into similar proposals.

Under Proposition 215, it's legal for someone who is seriously ill to use marijuana, with a doctor's OK, for the relief of pain and other symptoms. But the measure leaves murky who can cultivate and distribute the drug. Local governments have considered numerous enforcement schemes, including licensing distributors and licensing users. San Mateo County slapped a moratorium on dispensaries in unincorporated areas while officials figure out what to do.

Putting police in the marijuana distribution business carries a certain odd logic, to some people. One motivation, apparently, is eliminating waste. After police-seized marijuana is used as evidence at trial, it is detroyed. And there's a lot of it. The San Mateo County Sheriff's office has $165,000 worth of marijuana stored in evidence lockers.

Another motivation is to provide sick people with free or low-cost pain-killers. The police, after all, get their evidence free.

Having cops as distributors quiets fears of possible corruption and of supplies going to unqualified users.

But, all in all, we think this is a rotten idea. Cops aren't - and shouldn't be - in the business of passing out drugs. After being stored for months, or years, the marijuana wouldn't be the freshest in the world. Who would be liable for its purity and safety? And don't you suspect that, far from being "free," the operation would end up costing a big bundle?

Imagine just inside the entrance to the Hall of Justice a head shop with burning incense and cops dressed as hippies. In back, Brownie Mary would be taking a new batch out of the oven. Far-fetched? In that case, maybe cops should make deliveries or cruise around with bells tinkling like hipper versions of the Good Humor Man.

What the cities' and counties' desperate quest really suggests is that Prop. 215 needs corrective legislation to set reasonable rules statewide on cultivation and distribution. The sick shouldn't be expected to grow their own marijuana or deal for it on the black market. Neither should they have to ask Officer Bill for a toke to ease their pain.&lt;